Kindness In Action – Fruit Pt 7

ByJim Stephens

Scripture: Galatians 5:16-26

22 But the fruit produced by the Holy Spirit within you is divine love in all its varied expressions: joy that overflows, peace that subdues, patience that endures, kindness in action, a life full of virtue, faith that prevails, 23 gentleness of heart, and strength of spirit. Never set the law above these qualities, for they are meant to be limitless. (Galatians 5:22-23 TPT)

One of the first Bible verses I learned as a child is Ephesians 4:32. Here’s how it reads in the KJV: “And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.” (Ephesians 4:32) At first, I learned about being kind to my two younger brothers. Then I learned that being kind applied to the way I treated other kids, other people, even animals. You know, God revealed himself from earliest times as a God of lovingkindness and mercy. And ever since those childhood days, “Being kind” is a God-characteristic I’ve wanted to grow in my life more than almost anything else.

I first learned to be kind because God says to be kind, and because my mother told me to be kind. My motive was mostly that I didn’t want to get on the “bad side” of God, and even more on the “bad side” of my Mom, for disobeying. I realize now that while both God and my Mom wanted me to be a kind person, they were working on helping me get my behavior pointed in the right direction until God could work the Fruit of the Spirit quality of kindness into my heart. That, as a matter of fact, is taking awhile and is a work in progress! But there is progress!

  1. Being kind means being aware of how your words and actions affect other people. I’ve since learned that is described by the word sympathy.
  2. Being kind means being aware of how other people are feeling. I now know that’s described by the word empathy.
  3. Being kind means being willing to think, speak, and act in a kindly way towards other people (and animals too!). Each act of kindness grows fruit in our lives.

Would you do this today? 1) Think a kind thought about someone you’ve been critical of. 2) Say something kind to someone who needs encouragement today. 3) Do an intentional act of kindness to someone who’s not expecting it.

Prayer:

Father, Thank you for your lovingkindness so freely given to us. Mau we think, speak, and act kindly toward others as your Spirit grows the sweet fruit in our lives. Amen.